This is a working and communication space for the coastal ecosystem assessment project. Project coordinators: Jonny Stark, Ben Raymond

A copy of Jonny's presentation from the MEASO conference can be found here.

Discussion points arising from the MEASO Thursday lunchtime session

our definition of "coastal" is open to further discussion: will we consider only depth in defining our domain of interest, or also e.g. distance from the coastline? Note that other definitions of "coastal" or "nearshore" already exist (e.g. via AntOS)

AntOS is in the process of collating a database with coastal physical and biological data. There was an AntOS survey regarding important survey sites (https://www.scar.org/scar-news/antos-news/antos-survey/). A summary of this survey will be presented at the Davos conference

one of the early tasks of this project will be to collate and summarize the existing literature and data, e.g. intertidal, tourism (IAATO), plastics

something resembling the risk assessment table from Alex Rogers' Somerville workshop may be useful: a table that cross-tabulates processes and effects with knowledge and data, thereby summarizing the importance and state of knowledge/data of each

the spatial and temporal coverage of data will also be important, since the vast majority of coastal science has been conducted in spatially-limited areas or during limited temporal periods. Case studies could be conducted in particular areas where data coverage is suitable

keep intended use of data in mind as we go, and the scope of policy/other stakeholder outcomes and interests

terrestrial processes that affect the nearshore zone will be important here, but these terrestrial components themselves aren't of direct focus. There are parallel bodies of work that are already addressing those processes

similarly but more broadly, there are many other projects and initiatives that cover parts of this project's domain of interest. Coordinating this projects work with those other initiatives will be important

will our "coastal ecosystem" domain include areas under ice shelves or glacier tongues? Collapse of these features is likely to be of interest. Note that there was workshop on Antarctic Ecosystem Research Following Ice Shelf Collapse and Iceberg Calving Events held in late 2017 at Florida State University, organised by Jeroen Ingels and collaborators (see https://marinelab.fsu.edu/labs/ingels/outreach/polar-academy/). A review paper from this workshop is in preparation

Planning document

(Names of individuals who expressed interest in specific components of the work have been indicated below. Note that this is not intended to be restrictive (feel free to contribute wherever you like!) or compelling (having your name against a particular item doesn't mean that you are expected to contribute to all parts of it, just whatever bits you feel comfortable with). Names information is being updated as people volunteer. Please identify areas that you could contribute to, as well as data sets you know of - observed change, predicted change.)

Conduct a meta-analysis of observed and predicted change in Antarctic coastal ecosystems. Emphasis will be mainly on physical/abiotic environmental change as there is likely to be little data on biological change (but where this exists may be included).

Produce a risk analysis which identifies areas most vulnerable to climate change impacts, those most resilient, and areas where information gaps exist.

Tasks

To initially get an indication of what info exists,

identify what needs doing to begin, and

who is volunteering to do it

Other considerations

Scope

Structure

Collaboration platform: Google docs, SOKI, others?

Email list

Reference list

Data list

The following 20 or so general areas will be the focus of the assessment.